THE MIRACLE BOY OF BAXTON, MISSOURI

 TOM SWEITZER

Tom Sweitzer – MTT, MT-BC – Tom received the title Loudoun County Humanitarian of the Year in 2014 and in that same year was invited as a guest to the White House for his work with disabilities. A Place to Be and Tom was awarded “Best Music Therapy Provider of the Year” by the American Music Therapy Association in June 2017. That same year he was honored to be a guest at the “Sound Health” conference hosted by The National Institute of Health along with renowned Opera star, Renee Fleming and NIH Director, Dr. Francis Collins. His choir, “Different Strokes for Different Folks,” a group comprised of stroke survivors through Inova Hospital sang alongside Renee Fleming. He spoke with Mrs. Fleming on Music and the Mind at Tanglewood. He also directed the Documentary, “Just Like Will,” which has won several awards both nationally and internationally. Tom is a subject of a new documentary, “Music Got Me Here,” along with one of his heroes, Forrest Allen, a young man with Traumatic Brain Injury who found his voice and courage again through Music Therapy. The movie will be on main streaming services this Fall 2020. He has signed a contract with MGM studios for the making of a movie based on the Documentary. Tom works closely with producer, HillTopper productions and most recently toured his one-man show, “Meatballs and Music,” a 90-minute play based on his child-hood. As a COVID survivor, Tom felt he needed to create something for young children to process the pandemic. He created “The Land of Music,” an animated series educating and bringing hope to young children during this time of uncertainty. The show can be found of the YouTube channel- A PLACE TO BE FAMILY.  Tom is dedicated in growing A Place to Be and its mission to help people face, navigate and overcome life’s challenges through Music Therapy.